Page 40 of Painter's Obsession: Volume II

“Is that why you had cried at the bar?” I ask, hoping I don’t ruin the moment but she smiles, and her fate is sealed.

“Maybe.”

“I’m sorry. I’m not good at interacting with people after…everything.” I look up, pretending to choke, playing the role of heartbroken husband. “To be honest, I don’t like bars, but I needed to get out. I needed an escape.” Her breath hitches, every reaction fueling the act.

“I understand.”

“Do you want to get a drink with me?” she asks timidly. “I’m also not good at this, but I don’t want to be here, and I also don’t want to go home,” I answer while holding back a smile.

“My place isn’t too far from here. I know I’m a stranger but—“ She silences me with a kiss.

I like her. Straight to the point. Thankfully, it was more of a light tap and not a tongue-fueled kiss, but it was enough to know I had won.

“I’ve done some very questionable things of late, so yes—one drink. It’s not too late and the creeps are about to swarm this place.”

Oh, even better to go now. “Okay. I also have some pot roast.”

“Food and drinks sounds like a date.”

I smile, reaching toward her and pushing her hair behind her ear.

“Do you love me, Ren?”her voice claws through my mind, and it’s no longer a stranger in front of me but the monster who had brought me into this world and consumed me whole.

“You came back for me?” I ask out loud, instantly regretting it when she pulls back a bit.

“What?” she asks, confused at my words.

But all I can do, in a moment of panic, is kiss her—whispering against her lips.

“You are beautiful to me.”

I kiss her again. This time I deepen the kiss, my tongue moving inside her mouth, the tasteis unfamiliar.

My body rejects her, craving the roughness... the scar... and not the softness of her.

Chapter Twenty One

Byron

“Mijo, you need to stay strong.” My mother’s voice soothes me. In the darkness, my body hurts and I can’t move. “You are strong, a fighter.”

But she’s wrong, I’m none of those things. I curl my body in on itself, even though the blanket that covers my skin stings. The welts on my ass are burning, branding me like fire as I stifle back a cry.

I’m sorry,“ I whisper, and my mom’s arms envelop me. “Don’t be. I’m sorry that I failed to protect you, Mijo. Your father means well.” But the pain in my body from his beating is enough to argue her lies.

“Ilike girls, Ma,” I say. “I like girls,” I repeat turning to face her with tears in my eyes. My mother bites her lower lip as she cups my face. “I know,” she lies. “You are just confused.”

But I’m not, I know what I felt. I know what I wanted to do with Armando. It’s true what dad thinks of me, and I deserved to be beat. Maybe he can beat me into liking girls, into being normal. Maybe then he can have the son they both deserve, not one who’s picturing what it will be like to be inside a man, but one that can get hard from a woman’s tits. Instead he has me, his greatest shame.

I wake up covered in sweat,with my head pounding. I wince while slowly opening my eyes. My hand moves towards the source of pain. “Fuck,” I mutter, remembering everything that went down. Ren’s words, followed by his beating, reminded me so much of my father that I had locked up. The room smells of stale blood, sweat, and old cologne—Ren’s scent clings to the walls like a ghost that won’t leave. The ache in my ribs is sharp, each breath dragging againstbruised lungs. The pillow beneath me is damp, not just from sweat, but also from tears I don’t remember shedding.

The sound of a car approaching, makes me move; every part of my body hurts, and I’m still naked. Using my elbow, I prop myself up, wincing with every move. That fucker has a mean kick, and I feel disgusting from all the sweat and blood. My vision blurs and I have to grip the bed frame to keep from collapsing. The sound of a car door opening causes my heart to flutter in my chest, not knowing what to expect. At this point, I didn’t know if Ren wanted to fuck me or kill me, so I stay alert. Or try to.

I hear the sound of the door to the cabin opening, then a familiar voice that sends chills down my spine.

“REN,” the voice calls out. I choke up, and then rage bubbles over. “Ren,” he calls again, his voice drawing closer. My jaw tightens and I clench my fists, ready to burst through the door and beat him to a bloody pulp. Then Ren wouldn’t have his leverage. She would be safe and I’d end it all. The element of surprise is all I got right now. Moving towards the door. it be just my luckthat the bastard locked it, and in anger, I try to pry the fucking door open.

“Ren” Kevin’s voice calls from outside the door., He’s so close but there’s nothing I can do to force it open.

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